Stockpickr Lists: Alliance Data

Editor's Note: In this feature from Stockpickr, we highlight lists of stocks that have made new highs, lows or seen other unusual activity.

52-Week Highs: Alliance Data Systems(ADS Quote) shares rose 25% to $78.46, a 52-week high, after it agreed to a $7.8 billion buyout by the Blackstone Group.

Biggest % Gainers: DUSA Pharmaceuticals(DUSA Quote) had Thursday's biggest percentage gain, jumping 72% to $4.76. Shares skyrocketed after the Food and Drug Administration named the company's Levulan, a treatment for a precursor to esophageal cancer, an "orphan drug." The favored status includes marketing exclusivity and potential grants and tax incentives, if the drug is approved.

Rising on Unusual Volume. Patni Computer Systems(PTI Quote) edged up 86 cents to $25.76 on heavy trading. The information technology services provider on Wednesday morning announced the formation of a new consulting services practice. The stock was trading almost six times normal Thursday.

Biggest % Losers: Doral Financial(DRL Quote) sunk 19% to $1, the day's biggest percentage drop. The Puerto Rican bank announced a group led by Bear Stearns had agreed to take a 90% stake in the company for $610 million. The deal represented a deep discount -- 63 cents a share, almost half Wednesday's $1.24 closing price.

52-Week Lows: OPNET Technologies(OPNT Quote) slumped 11% to $10.69, a 52-week low. The computer network management software maker reported disappointing fourth-quarter earnings and cut first-quarter guidance.

Stocks with Unusual Option Activity: Oil giant ConocoPhillips(COP Quote), which was just 29 cents under its 52-week high of $73.59 Thursday, topped the list of stocks with unusual options activity.

Latest Activist Situations: Daniel Loeb's Third Point disclosed a 9.9% stake in CV Therapeutics(CVTX Quote), a pharmaceutical company focused on heart disease treatments.

Forum of the day

In the Tech Corner, gmartin1 wonders about the five best tech stocks for the next 10 to 20 years. Two of his picks: Google(GOOG Quote) and Apple(AAPL Quote).

Do you know the answer?

Know of any pure Panama plays? The Central American country's economy and plans to expand the canal have jjacobslv intrigued.

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